Mary Macdonald Preserve at Horseshoe Harbor

Late summer and early fall are the best times to visit this preserve to fully enjoy the beauty of the Keweenaw Peninsula without the irritation of the biting insects that come out in the early summer. Hiking boots are recommended for walking the trails and shoreline of this preserve. If you want to visit during the early summer months bring insect repellant to protect against biting insects.

The Nature Conservancy allows hunting for white-tail deer on this preserve to reduce threats too many deer can pose to the other plants and animals that live here. All hunters are required to receive a permit from the Conservancy as well as a Michigan deer hunting license. Additionally, hunters must report any deer taken from the preserve.

Permitted Activities

• Hiking, skiing, and snowshoeing
• Bird watching, nature study and photography
• Swimming
• Geocaching
• Kayaks and canoes are permitted on Lake Superior. Vessels must be carried from the parking area.
• Research projects and educational studies with approved permit
• Hunting with a Conservancy-issued permit for whitetail deer

Prohibited Activities

• No rock climbing and rappelling
• No motorized and non-motorized vehicles
• No building of new trails
• No pets
• No hunting or trapping without a Conservancy-issued permit
• No removal of plants or animals (alive or dead)
• No removal of rocks, water, or other non-organic materials
• No camping, bonfires, fireworks, or other fires
• No firewood collecting
• No littering